Islamabad education city task force

Task force formed to make Islamabad education city
Islamabad, Nov 7: The National Assembly (NA) was apprised on Friday that
the government had constituted special task force and committees to make the
federal capital education city.

Replying to a question, Minister of State
for Education Ghulam Farid Kathia informed the House that the project of
Education City would comprise the up-gradation of primary and the higher
educational institutions.

"A task force was constituted by the Prime
Minister for transforming Islamabad into Pakistan's first Knowledge City. There
is a related directive of the PM "Developing Vistas for quality education with a
view of promoting the town as Education City," said the state
minister.

He said during first meeting of task force, a committee was
constituted under the coordination of education secretary.

The committee
also took PM's directive and it was decided that the concept of Education City
would be included in the larger concept of Islamabad Knowledge City and the term
'Knowledge City' would reflect by default, Education City. APP

Grants for IIU, QAU boundary walls okayed
Islamabad: Higher Education Commission (HEC) has decided to
provide grants for boundary walls of the International Islamic University,
Islamabad (IIU) and Quaid-i-Azam University, (QAU), said a statement issued on
Friday by IIU.

The decision has been taken after twin bomb blasts of October
20 at the IIUI camps and after threats to QAU recently.

It is
worth-mentioning here that IIU has an area of 704 acres while QAU has 1,500
acres of land but still the QAU has no boundary wall at all which has placed
students of both the seats of learning at high risk of terrorist attacks.

The students and teaching faculty of both the institutions have repeatedly
requested the government to protect them by erecting boundary wall. The nation

Youth asked to help resolve masses' problems
Islamabad: Deputy Speaker of National Assembly Faisal Karim Kundi on
Friday called upon the youth to play role in resolving masses problems.

Addressing the inaugural session of Youth Parliament, he said the
country's youth especially the members of parliament should have in-depth
knowledge of the problems in their respective areas and share their solution
with the elected representatives.

"You are the future of the country,
you will have to learn more including patience to work as member of the Youth
Parliament," he added.

The deputy speaker regretted that some times
elected representatives run out of patience and wanted the elected government to
hold early elections. He said that politicians should adopt pragmatic
approach as in past these politicians provided opportunity to dictators to rule
the country.

Speaking on the occasion, Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan, MNA
said the youth would have to work hard to strengthen democracy in the country.
Dr. Donya Aziz, MNA said that an effective mechanism of accountability
should be put in place to make those in power especially elected representative
answerable to the masses.

Senator S M Zafar called upon the youth to
have clear understanding of the present-day's challenges and their solutions to
achieve ultimate success. The Youth Parliament has total of 48 members
from the four provinces, ICT, Fata and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Governor Punjab meets President, briefs on security for educational institutions
Islamabad: Governor Punjab Salman Taseer called on President Asif Ali Zardari here
at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Friday. He discussed with the President overall political
and law and order situation in Punjab. He briefed the President about the
special security arrangements made for the protection and safety of the
educational institutions in the province and public and private property during
the meeting. APP

Involvement of madrassas graduates in public schemes
Islamabad: The Ministry of Population Welfare is contemplating the
involvement of graduates of local 'madaris' (religious schools) in its public
sensitisation schemes regarding population control.

Book on health & economic planning launched
Islamabad: The National Language Authority (NLA) here on Friday launched a book
titled 'Economics and Planning of Health in Pakistan.' Sharing his views at the
release of NLA's new publication, NLA Chairman Iftikhar Arif said the subject of
Health and Economic planning is being taught in the universities of developed
countries as basic science. He said developed countries have been paying special
attention to create awareness among the younger generation on the subject. The news